Major B.C. Highway closed as 'out of control' wildfire forces evacuation
An out-of-control wildfire in B.C.’s Fraser Canyon region has forced the closure of a section of Highway 1, with no timeline for reopening.
The Brunswick Creek wildfire, currently listed at 2,594 hectares in size by the B.C. Wildfire Service and as “out of control,” has also prompted five evacuation orders and two evacuation alerts in the area.
According to the Fraser Valley Regional District, people in the evacuation order area are at risk and must immediately leave the area.
Those in the alert areas are not required to leave at this time, but must be ready to do so at a moment’s notice.
BC Wildfire Service
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Evacuation Orders include one in the Boothroyd Indian Band, one in the Boston Bar First Nation, and three locations within the Fraser Valley Regional District.
“Hot, dry weather and windy conditions drove elevated fire behaviour and growth today,” said the BC Wildfire Service in an update dated July 8. “Wind and elevated fire behaviour are anticipated into this evening.
“Cooler temperatures will briefly return by the end of the week, but no appreciable rain is expected in the short-term forecast.”
Highway 1 is currently closed for 10.5 km between Boston Bar Station Road and Ainslie Road North.
DriveBC
BC Wildfire Service revealed that 160 firefighting personnel are battling the Brunswick fire with support from 23 pieces of heavy equipment, 58 structure protection personnel, and 12 helicopters.
Two of the helicopter groups are equipped with night vision technology.
“Multiple local fire departments from the region are supporting our structure protection operations,” it added. “Structure protection is in place for identified properties, and structure protection personnel will continue to triage areas of concern as required.”
BC Wildfire Service
According to the B.C. Wildfire Dashboard, there are 20 active wildfires in the province, with three started in the last 24 hours.
Wildfire smoke also recently blew into Metro Vancouver, prompting an air quality advisory earlier this week.